Opposition forming over Walmart Supercenters in Fontana

FONTANA - Retail giant Walmart's decision to build two supercenters here already is drawing some opposition - even though those stores might not open until 2016, or even later.

One of the nearly 200,000-square-foot supercenters is set for south of the 210 Freeway at Sierra Avenue with the other planned south of the 10 Freeway near the intersection of Sierra and Slover avenues.

"I can't believe that a traffic study would support that kind of development," said Frank Scialdone, a former Fontana mayor and police chief. "If there is one accident (by the Sierra Avenue overpass), traffic is backed up for hours. "This would be a traffic nightmare."

Scialdone's neighborhood, Presley Estates, is near the proposed southside supercenter. In 2006, the neighborhood mobilized against the prospect of a Home Depot being built nearby.

Even after hiring a lawyer to help their fight, the neighborhood group lost.

The Home Depot was built at 16783 Santa Ana Ave.

"I was in the forefront. I got people to pony up money for the attorney," said Paul Fernandez, of that past battle with City Hall.

Now, almost 70, Fernandez said he's not going to take up an organizational role again, although he's against the new Walmart Supercenter near his home.

"It's all gone. I'm getting older," he said.

In another emerging battle in the north side of the city, the issue isn't traffic.

Walmart bought its 27-acre site for its 196,042-square-foot store as part of what's called the Fontana Promenade Specific Plan, which encompasses about 100 acres south of the 210 along Sierra between Baseline and South Highland avenues.

When adopted by the City Council in 2008, it was intended to be a "walking district" that promotes "pedestrian connections" and "serves as a gathering place for the community."

It was to have an Italian Tuscan architectural theme, and include perhaps include specialty retail stores, a multi-screen movie theater and restaurants.

For the Walmart to proceed with its traditional single-level store on its property, will require the City Council to alter the Promenade Specific Plan, said Don Williams, Fontana's community development director.

The plan severely limits the footprint for a single building, he said.

"I still want to keep up the promenade concept," said Michael Tahan, a Fontana councilman.

"We have promised the community that we would have this. Unless we can accomplish some of this, I will not undo the specific plan."

On the other hand, Mayor Acquanetta Warren said, "People in Fontana say they want more parks. But there is no redevelopment money...we can't have our cake and eat it too."

Warren said that the realities of 2013 will be far different than they were in 2008, when the Fontana Promenade Specific Plan was approved.

As the state has grabbed revenues away from cities, dollars have been taken away from Fontana. The two supercenters offer an opportunity to gain millions in sales tax revenues over time, and there will 300 employees at each of the two locations.

"We have a competent staff," Warren said. "I'm sure they will have a plan that doesn't impact people negatively," she said, referring to potential traffic problems for some southside residents.

"Generally speaking, I think there are more pros than cons" on the two Walmart supercenters coming into Fontana, said John Roberts, mayor pro tem.

"We can use as much (sales tax) revenue as we could possibly get...but it's a balancing act. We have to look at everything."

Former Fontana Mayor David Eshleman said: "Time changes everything. You have to look at it, (the promenade) in terms of today's economy...City Council has to look at what they want to do in terms of job creation - and move forward in today's economy."